Despite Gridiron Australia’s unprecedented role in bringing international competition to Oceania, the high costs of logistics to reach the Outback land can put European participation at risk.

Treasurer of Fédération Française de Football Americain, Jean-Pierre Trochet:

“At the moment our participation is questionable. We have just received financial details from IFAF regarding costs for hosting and meals. Also a competition on South hemisphere will force us to plan being in Australia several days before first game kick off, so it also has to be part of the plan.

“We will meet our sport ministry to pitch our cause and expect a potential funding on October. As a European federation, World Cup expenses in Australia could be upwards of 300,000 Euros ($340,000). This is an important investment for non professional and non Olympic sport. An other important point for us as a major European Federation is also our U19 program that will be a part of 2019 U19 European Championship. So both programs would have to play almost on same schedule.

“But to respect Australian Federation efforts in the last decade of being a part of several major events, we currently try our best to set up our finance and join their gridiron next summer.

The other four berths would normally go to Canada, Mexico, Japan and the winner from a South/Central American playoff. In 2015, this was Brazil.

However, at this point, all of this seems to be up in the air. Stay tuned.

Journalist at Futebol Americano Brasil and American Football International. Post graduated in Digital Journalism at Famecos/PUCRS. Former multimedia producer of Locast Project MIT/USA.
Former player of Porto Alegre Pumpkins.